Cultural Capital and Creolisation: a Perspective for Milan's Peripheral Quarters

In this essay, the concept of periphery will be put to the test , together with the stereotype of non-place, substituting them with a more flexible theoretical apparatus, like the articulation between space of places and space of flows, gentrification and spectacularisation of the city, and cultural capital and creolisation. With this renovated frame of reference, I will comment upon research findings collected in six Milan neighborhoods classified as peripheral. More precisely, I will try to overcome the description of the material and immaterial poverty of the considered areas, singling out the factors on which urban marginal districts can actually concentrate their efforts. I want to show that in the so called periphery of Milan old and new jobs, native and migrated populations, monumental architecture, prestigious universities and deserted areas draw different scenarios where creative enterprises play often an important connecting role.